Alcohol

Alcoholism Symptoms

Alcoholism symptoms are a warning that the mind and body are having problems so it is dangerous to ignore alcoholism symptoms. Alcoholism symptoms can be identified early in the disease process but left untreated alcoholism can be fatal. Along the way, alcoholism symptoms affect the alcoholic, surrounding family, friends and career. Alcoholism symptoms are more than just physical, they are also mental. Alcoholism symptoms are reoccurring based on continued alcohol abuse and should be treated immediately.

Obvious alcoholism symptoms include the continuing use of alcohol despite physical and mental difficulties. Expressing a desire to quit and yet unable to do so is an indicator of alcohol dependency. One sign that people often miss is the increased tolerance for alcohol. Alcoholics often attribute their ability to drink excessively large amounts of alcohol to "holding their liquor" but this ability is not an asset for the alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disease and alcoholism symptoms are indicators that the disease is present in the mind and body. Other physical symptoms may include:

increased tolerance

continued use despite physical problems

abdominal pain

nausea

vomiting

red eyes, puffy face

numbness in the arms or legs

swelling of the liver

blackouts, not remembering drinking episodes

Alcoholism symptoms are not restricted to the physical however. Alcoholism is a disease of the mind as well. Alcohol is often abused to self medicate anxiety, depression, irritability and sleep disorders but these conditions are worsened by drinking. This vicious cycle increases the amount of drinking as the psychological problems become increasingly traumatic and drinking is continued to numb the pain. Alcoholics will often deny having alcoholism symptoms and may drink in secret to cover-up the problem. Dramatic mood swings and aggression also accompany alcoholic drinking.

These physical and psychological alcoholism symptoms affect family life of course. Without alcoholism treatment, the alcoholic will often begin to isolate him or herself both physically and emotionally in order to avoid criticism about drinking. Family and friends will notice that major social engagements will be ruined or missed entirely.

Getting drunk at the exact wrong moment is another one of those clear alcoholism symptoms that may often be excused by loved ones who don't wish to face the truth. The alcoholic is often in denial about his or her situation and given enough time the surrounding family can adapt to the unhealthy behavior, accepting the abnormal as normal.

The job is usually one of the last things to go in the progression of alcoholism. The alcohol abuser tries very hard to not drink at work but as the disease of alcoholism increases, the morning drinks to calm the shakes and the couple of drinks for lunch start to grow in number. It may start with an afternoon off here and there but pretty soon major work obligations are becoming difficult or going unfulfilled and the alcohol abuser may be disciplined or fired.